Pen-type input device and input method using the same

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for providing input to a host device using a pen-type input device. A first signal is transmitted, from the pen-type input device, to the host device, when a first switch senses pressure applied to a pen tip of the pen-type device. The first signal is used for inputting a character stroke in the host device. A second signal is transmitted from the pen-type input device, to the host device, when a second switch is activated. The second signal is used for performing a mouse click operation in the host device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pen-type input device for providing input to a host device, comprising:
 a first switch disposed on a pen tip of the pen-type input device, the first switch configured to transmit a first signal to be used for inputting a character stroke in the host device, wherein the first switch senses pressure applied to the pen tip; and   a second switch configured to transmit a second signal to be used for performing a mouse click operation in the host device.   
     
     
         2 . The pen-type input device of  claim 1 , wherein the mouse click operation comprises at least one of a language switching operation, a special character input operation, a size change operation for character input, and a color change operation for character input. 
     
     
         3 . The pen-type input device of  claim 1 , wherein the pen-type input device is connected to the host device via short range communication. 
     
     
         4 . The pen-type input device of  claim 1 , wherein the first signal is transmitted when the pen-type input device or the host device is in a first input mode for character input. 
     
     
         5 . The pen-type input device of  claim 4 , wherein the first input mode is executed upon selection of an input window by the pen-type device. 
     
     
         6 . The pen-type input device of  claim 4 , wherein the first switch is further configured to transmit a third signal to be used for moving a cursor in the host device, when the pen-type input device or the host device is in a second input mode for cursor input. 
     
     
         7 . The pen-type input device of  claim 6 , wherein the mouse click operation comprises at least one of a size change operation of the cursor, a color change operation of the cursor, and a shape change operation of the cursor. 
     
     
         8 . The pen-type input device of  claim 6 , wherein the pen-type input device or the host device executes one of the first input mode and the second input mode based on an application executing on the host device. 
     
     
         9 . The pen-type device of  claim 1 , wherein location information of the pen-type input device is transmitted to the host device. 
     
     
         10 . A host device for receiving input from a pen-type input device, the host device comprising:
 a controller configured to execute an application;   a receiver configured to receive, from the pen-type input device, a first signal to be used for inputting a character stroke, and to receive a second signal to be used for performing a mouse click operation; and   a display for displaying the character stroke based on the first signal, and for displaying a function associated with the mouse click operation based on the second signal.   
     
     
         11 . The host device of  claim 10 , wherein the mouse click operation comprises at least one of a language switching operation, a special character input operation, a size change operation for character input, and a color change operation for character input. 
     
     
         12 . The host device of  claim 10 , wherein the pen-type input device is connected to the host device via short range communication. 
     
     
         13 . The host device of  claim 10 , wherein the receiver is further configured to receive location information of the pen-type input device, from the pen-type input device. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing input to a host device using a pen-type input device, comprising:
 transmitting a first signal, from the pen-type input device, to the host device, when a first switch senses pressure applied to a pen tip of the pen-type device, the first signal being used for inputting a character stroke in the host device; and   transmitting a second signal, from the pen-type input device, to the host device, when a second switch is activated, the second signal being used for performing a mouse click operation in the host device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mouse click operation comprises at least one of a language switching operation, a special character input operation, a size change operation for character input, and a color change operation for character input. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pen-type input device is connected to the host device via short range communication. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first signal is transmitted when the pen-type input device or the host device is in a first input mode for character input. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting a third signal from the pen-type input device, to the host device, when the first switch senses pressure applied to the pen tip, and when the pen-type input device or the host device is in a second input mode for cursor input, the third signal being used for moving a cursor in the host device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the mouse click operation comprises at least one of a size change operation of the cursor, a color change operation of the cursor, and a shape change operation of the cursor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising transmitting location information of the pen-type input device, from the pen-type input device to the host device.